The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2011
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2003
Eric K. Mangiardi, Charlotte, NC (US);
Jason M. Reynolds, Charlotte, NC (US);
Ulf R. Borg, Cornelius, NC (US);
Tony D. Alexander, Charlotte, NC (US);
Eric K. Mangiardi, Charlotte, NC (US);
Jason M. Reynolds, Charlotte, NC (US);
Ulf R. Borg, Cornelius, NC (US);
Tony D. Alexander, Charlotte, NC (US);
Merit Medical Systems, Inc., South Jordan, UT (US);
Abstract
The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a stent, which combines many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal stents while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, a principal objective in accordance with the present invention is to provide a family of stents generally and a biliary stent in particular where the relative hardness/softness of regions of the stent can differ from other regions of the stent to provide additional patient comfort and resistance to radial forces. An exemplary embodiment also provides a family of stents with novel interstice configurations that facilitate flexibility, durability and/or proper installation. Additionally, the biliary stent in accordance with the present invention provides enhanced flow mechanics to ensure the adequate clearance of viscid fluids such as bile.